Taxis of the United Kingdom

Types of cab

• Hackney carriages (taxis) can be flagged down on the street or hired from a taxi rank.
• Private hire vehicles ("minicabs") are passenger vehicles which can be either a 4-door saloon/5-door hatchback/estate car, carrying up to four passengers, or MPVs which are licensed to carry between 5 and 8 passengers. These cannot be hailed on the street; they must be booked in advance.
  • Chauffeur cars are a sub-set of private hire; generally a higher-value car such as a Mercedes-Benz or a Jaguar where the passenger pays a premium fare, but in return receives a higher level of comfort and courtesy from the driver, some of whom wear a uniform.

Hackney carriages

Main article: Hackney carriage

Only licensed hackney carriages can pick up passengers on the street and without pre-booking. London's traditional black cabs (so-called, despite now being of various colours and advertising designs) are specially constructed vehicles designed to conform to the standards set out in the Conditions of Fitness. London taxi drivers are licensed and must have passed an extensive training course (the Knowledge). Unlike many other cities, the number of taxicab drivers in London is not limited. For many years purpose-designed vehicles were used, but from about 2008 specially adapted "people carrier" vehicles have also been used.

There have been many models over the years. The space beside the driver's seat can be used for luggage, although there is much luggage room in the passenger compartment. For improved manoeuvrability, the turning circle is smaller than other vehicles of similar size (a black cab is said to be able to "turn on a sixpence"). The cab seats three people on the back seat, and two more in backwards-facing "jump seats". There is good headroom, to facilitate entry to and exit from the vehicle. A ramp for access by disabled people is fitted. minicab

Private hire (minicabs)

Private hire vehicles began operating in the 1960s in competition with hackney carriages after a loophole in the law was spotted (although in some areas it is possible to hold a dual hackney/private hire licence). A minicab must be booked, for example, by telephone, internet, or fax, or in person at the registered minicab office. A minicab can be booked at the time it is required, but only at the office of a company registered to accept bookings rather than directly with a driver.

Since 2001 minicabs have been subject to regulation in London and most other local authorities. London minicabs are now licensed by TFL (London Taxis and Private Hire), or TFLTPH, formerly known as the Public Carriage Office. This is the same body that now regulates London's licensed taxicabs, but minicab drivers do not have to complete The Knowledge, and although they must undergo a small "topographical test" in order to obtain a Private Hire Driver's Licence, they generally rely on satnavs or local knowledge to take them to the pick up and destination. All vehicles available for pre-booking by London minicab drivers must hold a private hire vehicle (PHV) licence showing that the vehicles are fit for purpose; this is updated with MOT tests twice a year after an inspection at a licensed garage. In London, new applicants must send their Topographical Test Certificate along with their application to the PH Driver Licensing Section of the TFLTPH.

Regulation

Outside London, taxis are licensed by the local authority, and in many places are required to be painted a certain colour. Most major cities predominantly use London taxis, again traditionally black but this is not always mandatory. Smaller towns and rural areas allow more varieties of passenger cars, which may require taxis to be painted in a particular livery as a licence condition. A distinctive livery helps improve identification, which in turn improves passenger safety and accessibility, as well as provide a more professional service and create and promote a local identity with taxis a common sight around town. Many towns use two-colour schemes, such as white vehicles with another specific colour on the bonnet and tailgate. The seaside city of Brighton uses white with an aquamarine colour, Windsor, home to the King's residence at Windsor Castle, uses white with royal purple on the bonnet and tailgate, and in the East Riding of Yorkshire white with green and Yorkshire rose markings. Basildon taxis display white with orange bonnet and tailgate, Leeds white with black, Cardiff black with white, and West Suffolk and Middlesbrough black with yellow. Bradford are all white with a green diagonal stripe on the front side doors. St Albans are all white with a yellow stripe running the full length of the side,{{cite book |chapter-url=https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/publications/business/Complete%20Vehicle%20Application%20March%202019.pdf

Elsewhere there are two types of "taxi"—hackney carriages (licensed under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847), which may pick up fares on the street or be pre-booked and have a meter that charges a rate set by the local authority (alternatively the driver may negotiate a lower fare with the customer), and private hire vehicles (licensed under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976) which must be pre-booked and whose rates are set by the private hire operator. Hackney carriages may only pick up fares off the street in the area in which they are licensed—however, they and private hire vehicles may pick up anywhere in the UK as long as they are pre-booked, and the driver, vehicle and operator are all licensed in the same borough. Some authorities have entered into agreements with neighbouring authorities to deputise each other's enforcement officers so they have the power to apprehend "trespassing" taxis from outside their area.

The legal way for a driver to operate outside their area is to obtain multiple licences, one for each licence authority area.

Luton is reported to have the highest number of taxicabs per head of population in the United Kingdom.

Safeguarding

Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022

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Accessibility

Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022

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References

References

1. [https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/about-us/london-assembly/london-assembly-publications/where-guv "Where to, Guv?"], London Assembly Transport Committee report into the Public Carriage Office, November 2005
2. "Taxicab Make And Model History". London-taxi.co.uk.
3. "GUIDANCE NOTES FOR HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE DRIVERS (DUAL DRIVERS LICENCE)".
4. Ridealux, Editorial Team. (2025-10-31). "Taxi, Minicab, and Chauffeur Differences – The Law!". Ridealux.
5. "Apply for a private hire vehicle licence".
6. "Taxi and Private Hire Byelaws and Conditions". Eastbourne Borough Council.
7. (7 June 2010). "Taxis and private hire vehicles". Portsmouth.gov.uk.
8. City and County of Swansea. (28 January 2010). "# # Vehicles – Hackney Carriage".
9. City and County of Swansea. (17 June 2010). "Vehicles – Private Hire".
10. "East Riding taxis branded with new livery". Just Beverley.
11. "Blue handbook for hackney carriages". Brighton & Hove City Council.
12. (8 August 2013). "Cab drivers say council colours make taxis look like 'dustbin cars'". Maidenhead Advertiser.
13. "New taxi livery for East Riding". Yorkshire Coast Radio.
14. "About Hackney Carriages". Basildon Council.
15. "Taxi licensing". Cardiff Council.
16. (29 January 2020). "Consultation launched over taxis in west Suffolk". East Anglian Daily Times.
17. "How can I tell which Hackney Carriage or Private Hire Drivers, Vehicles and Operators are licensed currently by Bradford Council?". City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council.
18. "Guide to Using Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles". Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council.
19. "Taxis". Bristol City Council.
20. (9 February 2016). "Guildford's taxis to become 'corporate teal' as driver's court case is dismissed". Surrey Live.
21. "Conditions of licence and enforcement". Portsmouth City Council.
22. "Hackney carriage licences". Southampton City Council.
23. "Hackney carriage vehicle licensing". Scarborough Borough Council.
24. (4 December 2019). "Hartlepool taxis to stay yellow - drivers vow to 'stand up, scream and shout' over suggested change". The Scotsman.
25. (23 August 2019). "Derby cabs yellow to black change criticised". BBC.
26. Richardson, Perry. (2025-02-12). "Can a taxi or private hire driver hold multiple licences across different authorities?".
27. "Issues relating to the licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles".
28. [http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/lutonsouth "Luton South"] {{Webarchive. link. (8 March 2007, UK Polling Report)
29. (2023-04-26). "Tougher licensing rules for taxi drivers come into force". BBC News.
30. (2022-07-05). "Major change to taxi and private hire vehicle accessibility legislation comes into force". [[Local Government Lawyer]].
31. "Are Taxi and PHV Drivers legally required to complete Disability Awareness Training?".